Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everybody!
Is everyone ready for the Year of the Rooster? And not just any rooster! The Year of the Fire Rooster?
The Fire Rooster is characterized by creativity, passion and energy, so I think (hope!) we have a good year ahead!
In celebration of Chinese New Year, I have a terrific book to share.
Title: Goldy Luck And The Three Pandas
Written By: Natasha Yim
Illustrated By: Grace Zong
Charlesbridge, January 2014, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: retelling of classic tale, holidays (Chinese New Year), taking responsibility
Opening: “When Goldy Luck was born her mother said, “Year of the Golden Dragon – very lucky year. This child will have good luck.”
“She has a face as round as a gold coin,” said her father. “This child will bring great wealth.”
But Goldy had neither great wealth or good luck. In fact, she could never seem to keep money in her piggy bank, and she had a habit of breaking things.”
text copyright Natasha Yim 2014, illustration copyright Grace Zong 2014
Brief Synopsis: Goldy Luck is sent to deliver turnip cakes to the Chan family for Chinese New Year in spite of the fact that she’s sleepy and hasn’t had breakfast yet. When she arrives, the Chans are not home, so she samples their congee, tries out their chairs, and naps in Little Chan’s bed, leaving chaos in her wake.
Links To Resources: the back of the book includes an author’s note about traditions of Chinese New Year, a diagram and explanation of the Chinese zodiac, and a recipe for turnip cakes; Goldy Luck blog post with activities from 2nd Grade Snickerdoodles
text copyright Natasha Yim 2014, illustration copyright Grace Zong 2014
Why I Like This Book: I love retellings of classic tales, and this is a fun one. It takes Goldilocks and the Three Bears to China to celebrate Chinese New Year 
Although the story follows the basic format of the original, it departs after the Chans (panda bears in this version :)) come home. Goldy initially runs away (as she does in the original story) but her conscience gets the better of her and she decides to take responsibility for her actions and returns to the Chans’s home to help tidy up. The ending makes for a big improvement over the original And I love that so much back matter is included, making it so easy to expand on the use of the book. The art is bright and engaging, ending with a sweet picture of Goldy and Little Chan sharing turnip cake, the rug underneath them a depiction of the Chinese zodiac
text copyright Natasha Yim 2014, illustration copyright Grace Zong 2014
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
What a brilliant idea. That looks fab! Fire Rooster awesome 🐔
Great choice for Chinese New Year. So fun. I have never had a turnip cake, but I think I would like it. Once I ate a butterfly. I used to have 3 pandas. Then Mom “cleaned out” my toy box.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Love this idea. The opening sets the story up so perfectly.
I’ve read this one & agree that it’s a great choice for Chinese New Year & Diverse Books Day.
Kikeriki! (German for Cock-a-doodle-doo) Will look for it!
I love this book! Happy Chinese New Year!
I certainly *did* enjoy it as much as you did! 😀
What a perfect book for the Chinese New Year and Multicultural Children’s Book Day today.
Thanks for sharing. It looks like a great book!
So fun, thanks for sharing another gem 🙂
What a clever story idea. Here’s to a Happy Chinese New Year!
Looks adorable! The grandkids are always sharing about the various animals in the Chinese Year…a big celebration for Korean’s too, I do believe. 🙂 Happy ROOOOSTER Year!
This sounds like a fun and clever retelling of the Goldilocks story. Happy Chinese New Year!
I haven’t read this one yet, Susanna…so I’m going to add it to my library reserve list. I’ve wanted to write a fractured fairy tale…this might be a great mentor text.
Happy Year of the Rooster to one and all!
This sounds like a lovely sweet story. Very appropriate for Chinese New Year. Love the illustrations. I’ve never eaten or heard of Turnip cake and not so sure I would like it. 🙂
Sound like a charming book with a new twist, and great take aways . Thanks for sharing it with us Susanna. I also love books that are inclusive of different cultures.
This looks like a great addition to my school library. I could use this when I read Lon Po Po. Thanks for the suggestion.
Such a fun book. Happy Chinese New Year!
I’ve read this and totally enjoyed it!
That sounds like a great picture book! I will look for it in my library! 🙂